SANTA CRUZ >> Smoke from the wine country wildfires reached Santa Cruz and Monterey counties — going as far as Hollister — in shifting north winds on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The plumes, which drifted more than 150 miles, are expected to leave the Central Coast after offshore winds develop Thursday morning, said Brian Garcia, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Monterey. The wildfires have scorched more than 170,000 acres in Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties.

The smoke fogged busy highways south from Napa to the Santa Cruz Mountains about noon Wednesday. Highway 17 at the Summit was overcast with motorists having to use headlights at midday.

The National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning Wednesday with 30-40 mph wind expected from 3 to 6 a.m. Thursday in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Garcia said. A red-flag warning applies for conditions that can generate extreme fire conditions within 24 hours, according to Cal Fire, the state’s fire authority.

Low relative humidity is expected Thursday. Garcia said gusts of that dry air could spark new wildfires, but there were no such problems in Santa Cruz County on Wednesday.

“Don’t throw your cigarette butts out of the window,” Garcia said. “Make sure your trailer’s chains are picked up so they don’t send sparks into the roadway.”

Onshore west wind sent smoke toward Sacramento on Tuesday before winds transitioned from the north Wednesday. The variable wind left smoke trailing west and south from the 22 fires that have consumed forests, neighborhoods and businesses in Northern California, according to Cal Fire. The state deployed 8,000 firefighters to front lines with fire service support from Washington, Nevada, Oregon, the U.S. Forest Service and California National Guard after Gov. Jerry Brown declared an emergency.

SMOKE ADVISORY

Central Coast air quality officials issued a wildfire smoke advisory Tuesday to Sunday to address the drifting smoke, according to the Monterey Bay Air Resources District. The district encompasses Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

“Smoke transported from wildfires in the northern Bay Area is degrading air quality in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz County,” said Richard Stedman, district spokesman and air pollution control officer. “Smoke may reach unhealthful levels in our region.”

Wednesday, the area had moderate air quality, a step below levels unhealthy for sensitive groups. Those include young children and people with health conditions that restrict breathing.

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“It’s not our typical air quality,” Stedman said. “We usually have exceptionally good air in this area.”

As a result, the district asks people to limit the release of additional pollutants generated by wood burning, driving, lawn mowing and leaf blowing, Stedman said.

Avoid the use of gas stoves or candles to minimize particles in the air inside the home, Stedman said.

“Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, it’s probably not a good time to go for a run,” Stedman said. “It’s probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.”